Figure



IN VEN TOR.

March 10, 1964 o. w. scHoTz n PORTABLE LAMP 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept.28, 1960 INVVTOR.

0770 W50/072 "MW .ma

ATTOP/Vfy xllllllll March 10, 1964 o. w. scHoTz 3,124,306

PORTABLE LAMP F'iled Sept.. 28, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR. 6770WS05/0 72 A TTOIP/VEY United States Patent 3,124,306 PORTABLE LAM-POttoW. Schatz, `14351 Ashton Road, Detroit 23 Mich. Filed Sept. 28,1960, Ser. No. 53,989 13 Claims. (Cl..240-10.63)

This invention relates to a battery-type hand lamp of the kind in whicha small'incandescent electricbulb and a plurality of batteries aremounted in a casing together with a suitable switch mechanismfor'controlling the flow of current from the batteries through the bulb.It is especially concerned with a portable lamp of this character usableby skin divers and the like for underwater operations.

An object of the invention is to provide a portable hand lamp operableunder water at substantial depths without `taking in water.

Another object is to provide a hand lamp as in the preceding object inwhich the casing is comprised of a resilient, shock resistant,electrically non-conductive synthetic plastic material having sumcientlyrigidity without the use of built-in stitfeners to inhibit collapsingwhen subjected to substantial external water pressures.

Still another object is to provide a hand lamp as in the precedingobjects wherein the batteries are so arranged as to `provide a rigidcore for the casing during use to further resistcollapse of the wallportion thereof.

A particular object is to provide a portable hand lamp comprising a`casing including a hollow elongated shank portion and an outwardlyflaring integrally connecting hollow head portion, said shank portionbeing closed at its end remote from said head portion and composed ofintersecting Wall sections of generally circular contour simulatinginsection-the external contour of a ligure 8 and defining a pair ofparallel elongated battery receiving wells for receiving columns ofbatteries, and said head portion being open at its end remote from saidshank portion and composed of a threaded cylindrical wall section forreceiving a lens and reflector retaining ring-and a generally conicalwall section connecting the cylindrical wall section with the wall ofthe shank portion, the longitudinal axis of said head portion beingsubstantially kcoaxial with the yaxis of one of said wells. y

Another object is to provide a portable lamp comprising a casingincluding ytwin longitudinally extending battery wells, one of ywhichterminates in an enlarged head portion for supporting a lens, reflectorand bulb assembly, a carrying handle connecting said head portion ofsaidL casing and the opposite end of said casing and switch mechanism insaid head portion adjacent said connecting portion.

An additional object is to provide a portable lamp comprising a casingof plastic insulation material, a 'bulb -assembly including a bulbk andfirst and second contact` members in circuit vwith the iilament of saidbulb, said first contact member being engageablek with one pole of abattery circuit, a battery retaining ring releasably mounted insaidcasing and having first and second electrical contact portions, saidfirst ring Contact vportion beingengageable with thefother pole of abattery circuit and switchmeans for controlling kclosing -of ythebattery circuit through said iilament comprising a first resilientcontact means fixed to said casing'and in releaseable electricalycontact with said second Contact member, a second resilient Contactmeans fixed to said casing and in releaseable electrical contact withsaid second contact portion of said ring, a movable circuit maker, and acircuit maker link, said circuit maker being in electrical circuit withsaid second contact means andoperable upon said link to establishelectrical contact between said first cony tact ,means and this circuitmaker to thereby establish an electrical circuit through said filament.

APatented Mar. 1K0, 1964 ICC A specific object is to provide a portablelamp as inthe preceding object'wherein said switch circuit making linkis mounted on a flexible cap ofresilient insulation material.

A further specific object is to provide a portable lamp casing mountedswitch mechanism comprising first yand second casing mounted contactmeans in part within said casing and adapted to establish a bulbfilament circuit, a resiliently slidable circuit maker in circuitwith-said first Contact means during all positions of this circuitmaker, and a resiliently supported movable circuit link member operable'by said slidable circuit maker to establish a circuit betweenthis makerand said second-contact means.

An additional object is to provide a ,portable lamp including a casinghaving twin battery wells for receiving parallel columns of batteries, aresilient circuit member bridging the batteries of said weils forcircuit connecting the columns of batteries, a removable spring ringarranged transversely and circumferentially-of said casing and supportedat a plurality `of points circumferentially thereof on the wall of saidcasing, one endof said ring arranged to abut against one of said columnsof )batteries and a switch mechanism comprising a fixed contact memberresiliently` being movable to .position said `open sector over said welln and said offset `end clear of said well whereby .a battery may beremoved from said well past said ring-like member without removing saidmember from said teasing.

A still -further object is to provide a switch mechanism comprising kacasing, first and second contact .means secured to `a Wall of saidcasing, a `slidable circuit maker having ,opposite resilient lingersarranged `in an inverted Vi relationship, -one of said'fingers being .incircuit withsaid iirst ,contact means in all positions of said circuitmaker, an `operator for said circuit maker slidable therewith, a guidemember holding said circuit maker and operator in resilient biasingrelationship with said wall of said casing and facilitating movement ofsaid operator both normal to and longitudinally of said wall of saidcasing, and a resiliently mounted circuitmakerlink movable substantiallynormal to 'said wall -of said casing into circuit with said secondcontact means by said circuit maker,said Operator having an oli, 4on`and `an intermediate flashyposition, said operator in said `offposition, positioning said contact maker to haveits said fingersstraddl-ing and out Of Contact with said circuit maker link and saidoperator being operable 1in this position in a direction normal to saidcasing wall without causing said circuit maker to move said linkinto-circuit making lrelationship with said second contact means, saidoperator in -said on position thereof conditioning the other :of saidContact maker fingers to hold said link in circuit making relationshipwith said second `contact ,means land said operator insaid flashposition conditioning said circuit maker withA its said other contactfinger in closer proximity to said link but spaced therefrom and beingoperable in this position in a direction .toward said casing wall toresiliently bias-said other iinger into abutment with said link and thelatter rinto curcuit making relationship with said second contact means.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from theyfollowing description and from the drawings wherein; n

FlGURE l is a plan view of the exterior of the portable lamp of theinvention showing the novel relationship of carrying member and switchmechanism in relation to the head and shank of the lamp;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational View of the lamp of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view looking at the left end of the lamp ofFIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is yan elevational view looking at the right or head end of thelamp of FIGURE 2 and showing the bulb centrally thereof;

FIGURE 5 is -a sectional elevational view of the invention taken at 5 5of yFIGURE l;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional elevational view of the b-ulb assemblyand switch mechanism `of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse sectional elevational View of the lampstruct-ure of FIGURES 5 and 6 taken at 57--7 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is an elevational view of the head end of the lamp of FIGURES 2and 6` with portions broken away and the reector and bulb assemblyomitted to show the novel battery retaining and circuit making springring arrangement ot the invention;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional elevation of a portion of the head end of thelamp of FIGURE 5 showing a modification of the lens and reiiectorretaining ring structure of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE l is an enlarged sectional elevation of a portion of thestructure of FIGURES and 7 showing a modification of the switchmechanism of FIGURE 5.

Referring now `to the various iigures of the accompanying drawingsespecially FIGURES l to 7 wherein similar numerals are used .to identifycorresponding parts of the structure, the numeral 1t? generallyindicates a portable underwater lamp structure made in accordance withthe invention and which 'broadly includes an elongated hollow casing 12of electricity insulating and waterproof mate-rial which casingcomprises an elongated shank portion 14, and an enlarged head portion 16tto which is secured a releasable ring 18. Preferably integrallyconnecting a top por-tion 2d of the head portion of the casing and a topportion 22 of the rearward end of the shank of the casing is a carryinghandle or strap generally indicated by the numeral 24, and positioned inthe interconnecting portions ofthe casing and strap is a switchmechanism generally designated by `the numeral `26.

Since the lamp is particularly intended for underwater use for instanceby skin divers, it is essential that the cas- :ing not only avoidelectrical shorting but be capable of withstanding substanial externalwater pressure and shock tending Ito collapse the casing inwardlyagainst the inherent rigidity of the casing material `as supported bysuch internal pressure usually atmospheric pressure within the casing.It has been discovered that a rigid type polyethylene synthetic plastic,also known as a linear polyethylene plastic, is especially suited forthis purpose and in fact suitable for making an integral molding of theentire casing and carrying handle.

As best seen in FIGURES 2, 3, 5, and 7, the shank portion :14 of thecasing 12 is r.formed by a rearward or end wall 3h anda body orenclosing wall 32 whose transverse external contour generally simulatesthat of the outline of a pair of intersecting circles or a iigure 8 andproducing an oblong section composed of a top circular Wall portion 34,a bottom circular wall portion 36 and inturned curved -side wallportions 38, 40', these defining la pair o-f generally parallelelongated interconnecting top and bottom wells 42, 44, each `adapted toreceive a column or tandem arrangement of conventional dry cells 46, 48,50, and 46a, 48a, 50a respectively, it being understood that while thesecolumns have been illustrated to comprise three cells each, they maye'ach be constituted of a single or plurality of cells otf differentnumber.

In order to provide for some air circulation space around the cel-ls andto keep the columns o-f cells in separated relation, the walls of eachof the wells 42, 44

are provided with inwardly proiecting narrow circumferentially spacedribs or protuberances 52 preferably extending the full depth of theshank portion 14 of the casing y12 to facilitate molding.

The head lpor-tion 15 of the casing 12 lis formed by a wall generallyindicated by the numeral S6 and which is composed, as best seen inFIGURES l, 2, 5, and 8 of connected cylindrical and conical sections 58Iand 60 respectively which are also substantially coaxial with the topwell 42, the conical portion 58 converging to meet with the oblongsectioned shank Wall 32 of the wells 42, dat to -form an integralstructure therewith. Reinforcing generally circular ribs, 62, 64 areprovided externally on the conical section 60.

The cylindrical section SS and ring 1S are threaded with mating threadsas at 66 whereby the ring or lens cap can be screwed in position toclamp a window or lens 68 of transparent glass of plastic against theend face or rim '71B of the casing section 523 by means of the shoulder72 of the cap. The lens cap also holds in place a suitable bulb andreflector assembly generally referred to by the numeral 74 by clampingthe reector 75 against the casing. A U sectioned ring i6 of elastomericmaterial preferably straddles the peripheral rim portion of the lens 68and flange 77 ot the reflector 75. It provides a water seal andresilient mount for these elements between the casing and cap 18. Ifdesired, separate washers or O-rings can be used to provide a seal.

The reflector 75 comprises a forward parabolic section 79 to provide alight reflecting face 8), and a rearwardly extending cylindrical neckportion 82. The reector is preferably made of metal but may be ofsilvered plastic since it in no way provides part of the electricalcircuitry. The neck portion 82 supports a bulb assembly generallydesignated by the numeral S4. It incorporates a bulb 86 of the typeprovided with a base S8 having a central metallic terminal Si@ connectedelectrically to one side of the lament 91 and having a metallic locatingflange 92 intermediate the base 3S and globe portion 94 which connectswith the other side of the filament 91.

The bulb assembly 8d also includes a metallic ferrule 96 tightly pressedinto the bore 98 of the neck portion $2 of the reflector. The ferrulehas an inturned ange 119i) at its forward end which serves as anabutment for the flange 92 of the bulb and defines an opening 102 largeenough to pass the globe portion 94 of the bulb 86. The rearward end ofthe ferrule has an outturned flange 14M which tightly holds a forwardlydished circuit forming metallic disc 1115 against the rearward end ofthe neck 82 of the reflector. The ferrule 96 is formed with a rolledinternal thread 1135 adjacent its flange end 164 to threadedly receive acup-shaped threaded electrical insulation bushing 108. The base of thebushing is recessed on its outer face at to receive a rearwardly dishedmetallic circuit forming washer 112. The washer is secured to thebushing by a central metallic eyelet rivet 114.

The bushing may be unscrewed from the ferrule 96 in order to insert abulb 86, the base portion of which as seen, projects into the internalbore of the bushing. A metallic coil spring 116 preferably Woundconically at both ends and with the last turn of each end in a loop, islocated between the eyelet 114 and terminal 90 of the bulb and servesnot only as a current conducting path but also to resiliently bias theflange 92 of the bulb against the ange 109 of the ferrule to properlylocate the bulb lilament 91 within the reflector.

The eyelet 114 is adapted to make electrical contact with the positivemetal capped central pole 118 of battery d6 which as best seen in FIGURE6 is received within the dished washer 112. Urging the battery t6 intocontact with the eyelet 114 are the batteries 48 and 50 arrangedelectrically in series with battery 46, the pole 118 of one batterybeing in contact with the metal base or casing 12) forming the negativepole of the next sucf ceeding battery. Furnishing kspring bias for thebatteries 46, 48, and 50 in the well 42 and for the series yarrangedbatteries 46a, 48a, and 50ct in well 44, the latter group facing in theopposite direction from :the group in well 42, is a metallic springmember 122 (see FIGURES 5 and 7). This member is freely located in thebottom of the wells 42, 44 and includes a base portion 124 abutting thecasing wall 30 and .inturned ends forming spring ngers 126, 128 theformer in electrical contact with the casing 120 of Vbattery 50 andapplying bias thereto and `the latter being in electrical contact withpole 118 of battery 50a and `urging' that battery forwardly. The Thespring member 122 also serves as a jumper or ,terminal bar connectingthe columns of batteries inseries electrically. f

- Providing an electrical stop abutment for the casing 120 of battery46a of the spring biased column in well 44 is agenerally circular-shapedopen or split spring ring 130 (see FIGURES 5 to 8 incl. and vl0) whichis spring mounted in substantially coplanar inwardly opening recessesl132 provided in circumferentially positioned lpads or bosses 134, 136,138, 140 ,projecting radially inwardly of the conicaly wall section 60of the wall k56 defining the head portion 16 of the casing 12.

The split spring ring 130 is preferably vmade of round sectioned wire.One end of the ring is bent with a forwardly projecting short lug 142 atright angle to the plane of the ring while the opposite end is formedwith a loop or `hairpin-shaped portion comprising a short leg 144lextending rearwardly at right angle yto the ring and which connects bya U-shaped loop 146 with a long leg. 148 also at right angle to :thering, the latter extending forwardly beyond ythe plane of the ring toprovide an elongated finger whichmay be gripped by the lingers of theoperators hand. f

The ring 130 4is rotatable relative to the casing in the plane of thering by sliding in -the recesses '13,2 and may be readily removed fromthe casing following removal of the lens and bulb assembly 74 bypressing the'ends inwardly to release the spring ring from the recesses.Normally, however, once the ring is `positioned in the recesses 132there is no need to removethe same.

It will be observed that the loop 146y ofthe ring `130 forms anelectrical abutment for the spring biased column of batteries 46a, 48a,50a in the well 44. Also that the open sector formed between theopposite ends of the ring isfof a size which is greaterin width thanthediameterof a battery, and that the distance in FIGURE 7 between thebattery 46a and the nearest wall y150 of -the pad 134 is greater thanythe -width .of the loop i146 between the legs .144 and 148 thereof.-Hence by rotating or sliding the'ring 130 counterclockwise intherecesses 132 untilfthe leg 144 abuts the wall 150 of pad t134, -the loop146 may be moved .cleariof the battery `46a! and the batteries 46a, 48a,and 50a may easily be removed for replacement or testing withoutremoving the ring 130. Obviouslythe batteries `*46, 48, kand 50 may beremoved once thelens and bulb assembly 74 isreleased from thecasing by`unscrewing the ring A18. When the batteries are in place with ring 4130inposition with loop 146 contacting the casing l120 of `battery 46a, acircuit will be established between `one side of the filament 191through bulb terminal 90, spring 116, eyelet 114, vbatteries 46, 48, 50,spring 12A-batteries 50a, 48a, 46a and ring 130. n

The switch `mechanism 26 will now be described, controls kcompletion ofthe electrical circuit to the opposite side of filament 91 byelectrically kbridging the ring 130 and the dished circuit forming disc10S which electrically connects with the opposite side of thekfilamentthrough the ferrule 96 and flange 100 of the bulb 86. VThus asseenin FIGURES 5, 6, and 7, the casing -12 is formed with an outwardlyprojecting hollow boss 156 on the top side of the conical section 600izthe headportion 16 of the casing 12 and coaxial with 4the head and shankportions of the casing, as seen in FIGURE 1. The boss 156 is ofgenerally H section `comprising a horizontal wall portion 158 extendingrearwardly from the conical section and connecting by a downwardly andrearwardly curving wall portion 160 With the wall 32 of the shankportion 14 of the casing side walls 162, 164 which extend above andbelow the horizontal wall 158 forming therewith and with the curved wall60 an inner pocket 166 opening into the interior of head 16 and arectangular outerpocket 168 with end walls 170, 172. The end wall 172 issomewhat bulbous in section and'connects by the strap .24 with aprojecting yboss 174 adjacent the rearward end of shank 14 of lthecasing 12. The wall 172 and boss 174 are provided with cross openings176., 178 adapted for connecting "a shoulder strap or other`supplementaldevice not shown. The rearward `portion of the horizontalwall 158 is somewhat thicker than the forward part to provide acylindrical-shaped recess opening into the pocket 168 and which recessis dened by an upstanding cylindrical boss 182 and an outer cylindricalwall 184. The boss 182 has a circular depression 186. A hole 188 inwall`158 provides for drainage of water from pocket 168.

Secured yby one or more rivets 190 (one kbeing shown) to the horizontalwall 158 is a liatclectrically conducting metal bearing plate 192 seatedon the floor 194 of the pocket 168 and a metallic Contact member 196positioned against the underside of the wall 158 and having a downwardlyand rearwardly directed iiexible finger 198 that resiliently bearsagainst the rearward side of a portion 200 of the battery retaining andcircuit ring 130. With sized holes 210 in the dielectric wall 158 toproduce a water tight seal therebetween.

The ,contact .plate V192 extends rearwardly to adjacent the recess 184and fis in constant electricalcontact with a resilient slidable metallicswitch circuit making element 212 having a central top portion 214received in a recess 216 of a rigid polyethylene operator 218. A forwardresilient portion 220 contacts the plate 192and a similar l resilientrearward `portion 221 bears against the frloor .194 of the pocket 168.The portions 220, 221 sweep upwardly from ythe surfaces they contact toconnect with top 214 and form a recess222 between them. The opera-y tor218 vhas a knob operating portion 223 rprojecting through and operablein an elongated slot 224 of arigid plastic or metal plate 226 whichcovers .the pocket 16Sand is retained in position by resilient undercutportions 22S ofthe walls 162, 164 (see FIGURE 7), the side edges of theplate 226 being shaped to lit the undercuts. The plate 226 may belsnapped into yposition by spreading the wall portions containing theundercuts 228 apart. The operator .218 includes portions extendingforwardly and rearwardly of the knob 223 by which it is resiliently heldagainst the .underside of cover -plate 226 by vthe slidable circuitmaker 212, movementy of whichtheoperatorcontrols. The rearward portionof theoperatorhas a detent projection 232 which is selectivelyengageable in grooves 234, 236 inthe underside of cover plate 226.Operator 218 also has dependingside walls 238 of triangular shape whichserve as fulcrum guides and stops for the operator 218 as will.hereinafter be evident. Acylindrical cap 240 of resilient :polyethylenetightly tits the'upstanding `boss 182 and forms a cover over head l206of :rivet 204. A circuit making link 242 in the form of a rivet issecured in the top of the cap240 and is normally spaced from the head206 of rivet 204. The cap 240 forms a water tight i tit with boss 182and may it desired be cemented to the boss 182 by an epoxy cement, i.e.if the cap is made of a cementable plastic such as a vinyl resin orsynthetic rubber.

The switch mechanism 26 has three selective positions, an off positionsuch as shown in FIGURE 6 wherein the ilament circuit is open becausethere is no circuit established between the Contact members 196 and 292,a flash position wherein the operator 218 is moved to the right toengage the detent 232 in the recess 236 of plate 226 and to position therearward portion or tinger 221 of the circuit making element 212 inproximity to the contact link 242 of resilient cap 2411 but withouteffecting Contact of link 242 with rivet 266, this only occurring whenthe operator 218 is pressed downwardly by applying pressure against thecontrol knob 223, and the Lon position where the operator 218 is movedto the extreme right, i.e. forwardly during which movement the link 242is brought into contact with rivet 206 and remains in this conditionuntil the operator 218 is moved to one of the other two positions.

The pressure applied to knob 223 in the flash position is transmittedthrough the finger 221 to the link 242 which, by reason of the flexiblehead to which it is secured, is moved downwardly to contact the rivet206 without releasing the water tight engagement of cap 241) with boss182. Since at this time the rearward finger 226 of circuit makingelement 212 is in contact with plate 192 a circuit is completed betweencontact members 1% and 262 thus closing the circuit through thebatteries and the filament 91 and causing the bulb to light up. Releaseof the pressure on knob 223 again opens the filament circuit and causesthe bulb to go out. In moving the operator 218 to the on position thefinger 221 is moved over the link 242 in Contact therewith. Since detent232 is also carnmed downwardly out of recess 236 at this time and theside wings 238 of operator 218 rest on tioor 194 of dcpression 168 andserve as a fulcrum for the operator, the operator 218 is caused to applya downward force against the finger 221 which is transmitted to link 242both moving downwardly until the link 242 makes contact with rivet head206 which is then maintained by the resiliency of finger' 221.

Thus a switch mechanism 26 is provided that may be slidably operated toany selective position under water by a. positive operable control knoband without causing water to enter the interior of the casing or causinga short and this even though water will fill the pocket 168. Obviouslywhen the lamp is removed from the water any accumulation in the pocketmay be drained out through the drain hole 183. Moreover, it will benoted that the switch mechanism 26 is easily operable by the thumb ofthe hand holding the carrying strap 24 thus making the lamp easilymaneuverable by one hand.

FIGURE 9 illustrates a modified head structure wherein the lens ring 18ais formed with a wedge-like sectioned circumferential recess 250adjacent the mating 'threads 66 which recess may receive the chamferedor complementary tapered lip 252 of the head portion of the cylindricalsection S of the wall 56 forming the head 16 of the casing to form awater tight connection. Moreover, instead of being clamped between thering 13 and casing head 16 as in FIGURE 5, the lens 68 and reflectorassembly 74 are carried in the ring 18a in the bore 254 thereof beingheld endwise against the shoulder 72 of the ring 18a by a snap ring 256resiliently held in a recess 253 in the ring 18a. A suitable gasket 260is provided between lens 68 and shoulder 72 to make a water tightmounting at this point.

FIGURE shows a further modification of the mode of mounting the lens andretiector and bulb assembly to the casing; also a modified form ofswitch mechanism. Here the lens 68 and reflector flange 77 are as inFIGURE 9 received in the bore 254 and seated against a resilient gasket260 between the lens 68 and shoulder '72 of the ring 18b but instead ofbeing retained in place by a spring ring are here held by a ring 262which is clamped between the ring 16h and the head. In this arrangementthe bore 254 is relatively shallow and of less depth than the combinedthickness of the gasket 260, lens 63 and reflector ange 77 to permittheir being resiliently clamped between the shoulder 72 and ring 262 andeffect a water tight joint.

The switch mechanism 26a in FIGURE 10 differs from that of FIGURE 6 inthat here the operator 218e is of metal and has a common off and tiashposition and a separate on position to which it is movable. As in FIGURE6 the operator is resiliently held against a cover plate 270 for thedepression 16S by the resilient circuit making member 212 which has aforward finger 226 and a rearward finger 221. As before, the knob 223 ofthe operator projects through a slot 224 in the cover plate and it has adetent here in the form of an upwardly bent tab 272 which is received ina recess 274. The cover plate 276 has a hook-like end projection 276which hooks through the drain hole 188 and against the inner side 278 ofthe casing. The opposite end of the cover plate 270 is secured to thecasing by a bolt 277 which also mounts the contact member 196 to thecasing and thereby places the contact member 196 electrically in serieswith the cover plate 270, the operator 218e and the circuit maker 212,all of which are metallic members. rIhe circuit making link 242 is againsecured to a cap-like resilient member 240 which here, however, istightly fitted and/or cemented in place in a recess 280.

It will be observed that the position of the circuit maker 212 in FIGURE10 corresponds to the Hash position thereof in FIGURE 6, the finger 221of the circuit maker 212 being in proximity to the link 242 but not incontact therewith. Moreover, the lingers 220 and 221 of the circuitmaker 212 are in contact with the oor 194 of the depression 168 and notwith a metal plate as in FIGURE 6. Thus in the combined off and iiashposition of FIGURE 10 the filament circuit can be completed only bydepressing the operator 218e to cause the finger 221 of the circuitmaker to contact the circuit link 242 and depress the latter by itsiiexible mounting into contact with the circuit rivet 206 whereupon thebulb will light and remain illuminated until the pressure on theoperator is released. When the permanent on position is desired theoperator will first be depressed to release the detent 272 from thecover recess 274 and slid to the right in RIGURE l0 until the knob 223strikes the end of the slot 224 of the cover. In moving to this positionthe end of finger 221 will ride upon the circuit link 242 camming itdownwardly into electrical contact with the circuit rivet 206 tocomplete the iilament circuit. The resiliency in the nger 221 will holdthe link 242 in contact even if the operators nger is removed from theknob 223.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a novel portablelamp structure for under water application has been presented includingnovel switch mechanisms, casing structure, and combined batteryretaining and circuit making means.

It will be understood that various changes and modiications may be madeby those skilled in the art employing the above teachings and withoutdeparting from the spirit and intent of the invention set forth above.Accordingly, all changes and modiiications coming within the purview ofthe appended claims are intended to be covered.

I claim:

1. A portable hand lamp comprising a casing including a hollow elongatedbattery receiving shank portion and an outwardly tiaring integrallyconnecting hollow head portions housing a lens and bulb assembly, saidshank portion being closed at its end remote from said head portion andsaid shank portion being defined `by two longitudinally extending andlongitudinally connected wall sections of generally circular contour andless than a full circle together simulating in cross-section the generalform of a gure 8, forming two substantially parallel battery receivingWells, said head portion being substantially coaxial with the axis ofone of said Wells and comprising a cylindrical wall section, a generallyconical wall section integrally connecting the cylindrical section withthe wall sections of said shank portion and -an upstanding wall portionof the H section projecting outwardly of said conical section on theside of said casing opposite the other of said wells defining a contactmounting pocket `internally of said head and deining an external switchmechanism receiving ,pocket opposite said internalgpocket. f

2. A portable hand lamp as claimed in claim l including a carrying strapintegral with said casing and connecting the closed end of said shankportion of said casing with the near end of said opstanding Wall portionof said head portion of said casing.

3. A portable hand ylamp as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wall sectionsdefining said battery wells each have a plurality 'of circumferentiallyspaced inwardly projecting 'longitudinal battery locating and `airpocket forming ribs yextending the depth of said wells.

f4. A portable hand lamp as claimed in claim '1 wherein said casingcomprises a linear polyethylene molding.

5. A portable hand lamp comprising a casing includ- -ing a hollow`elongated shank portion and an outwardly flaring integrally `connectinghollow `head portion, said shank being `closed at its end opposite saidhead portion, said shank portion defining a 'pair of generally parallelwells for receiving the batteries for powering said lamp, said headportion being substantially coaxial with the 'axis of one of said Wells,a split spring ring in said head portion, means in said head portionmounting said rings as to be slidable therein concentric with said axisof said one well and movable to overlie the other of said battery wells,said v4split ring having an open section, said ring also havingafportion thereof oiiset from the plane of said yring adjacent said opensection dening a battery contacting linger for making contact withtheterminal end of a battery received in said other well and having aportion thereof within said casing adjacent said open section deiining amanipulating linger for facilitating sliding of said ring from aposition wherein said battery contacting portion is in contact with theterminal end of a battery in said other well to a second positionwherein the said open section of said ring straddles said terminal endof said battery, `said open section being sufficient in width to passsaid battery from said well for removing the samefrom said lamp. f

V6. A yportable hand lamp comprising a casing including a hollowelongated shank portion and an outwardly haring integrally connectinghollow head portion, saidshank portion being closed atfits end oppositeits headportion, said Ashank portion defining a pair of generallyparallel wells `for receiving the batteries lfor powering 'said'lamp,said head portion being substantially coaxial lwith the axis of one ofsaid wells and having aplurality of inwardly projecting wall portionsarranged aroundisaid axis but spaced from 'the other of said pair ofWells, a recess ineach of rsaid projectingwall portions facing inwardlyof said'head portion, a split springringmounted in'saidrecesses andslidable therein concentric to `said one Well, said spring `ring havingan open section betweenits ends, one end of said ring being formed witha U loop extending generally normal to 'said ring in aidirection awayfrom said head for overlying and contacting the terminal end'of abattery received in said other well land one of the legs of said looplextending generally normal to said ring in a direction 'away from `saidshank for forming a ring manipulating projection, the other end of saidringbeing formed with a lateral projection to provide a limit stop forsliding movement of said ring, said ring being movable from a positionwherein said loop is in contact with the said terminal end` of a batteryin said other well to a position wherein said loop portion is clear ofthe said battery and with the latter positioned relative to the ringwith its body within the open section between the ends of said ringwhereby to pass the same for removing said battery from said lamp.

7. A portable hand lamp comprising a casing including a hollow elongatedshank portion and an outwardly haring integrally connected head portion,said shank portion being closed at its end opposite its head portion,said shank portion` dening a pair of generally lparallel wells forreceiving the batteries for powering saidlamp, and said head portionbeing substantially coaxial with the axis of one of said wells, abattery retaining and contact making split spring ring in said headportion, means mounting said ring in said head portion to be slidabletherein concentric with said axis of said one well, `said ring having anopen section and having a contact portion movable to a first positionwherein it will overlie said other battery well and make contact withthe forward terminal end of a battery therein and to a second positionwherein said kopen section straddles said terminalend of said batteryand said contact `portion is no longer in contact with said terminal endof said battery, said open section having a width suiiicient to passsaid battery for `removing it from said lamp; switch mechanism mountedon said head portion, a bulb assembly mounted in said head portionhaving a central contact vfor `making contact with the forward terminalend of a battery in said one well, and having 1a ydisc-like contactmember, said switch mechanism including a pair of resilient contactelements, one operable to contact with said l spring ring the other withsaid `disc and means for elec- Vtrically connecting the rearwardterminal'ends of the batteries in said wells.

8. In a portable hand lamp including a casing for receiving batterymeans for supplying electric `current to a bulb carried thereby; switchmechanism for making and breaking an electric circuit connecting saidkbattery means and said 'bulb comprising a switch housing defined by adepressed wall portion of said ca ing on the exteriorthereof, a coverfor said housing secured to said casing, said cover having alongitudinally extending slot, a slidable control member in said housingand having a knob portion projecting outwardly of said housingthroughsaid slot and slidable therein, a slidable circuit making elementinterconnecting with said control member kand movabletherewith, saidelement being interposed kbetween said control member and the ooro saidhousing `and having a pair of spring iingers serving to bias saidcontrol member against said cover, irst and'second contact members tojbeconnected in series circuit, said contact members being secured to `saidcasing on the interior thereof, 'means electrically connecting one ofsaid spring lingers with said lirst contact member during all operations'of said switch mechanism, a third Contact member connecting said seeondcontact member with the interior of said housing through said wallportion, a movable circuit making link kmember in said housing adjacentthe underside of said circuit making element and over `said thirdcontact member but spaced 'from both thereof, a resilient support forsaid link member mounted on said wall ,portion and-facili tatingmovement of said link member into releaseable'contact with said thirdcontact member, said control member having a flash position in which itis operator depressible to urge said link member into contact with saidthird contact member through said other spring linger for establishing acircuit between said rst and secondcontact members ywhichis maintainablewhile said control member is held depressed by the operator and saidcontrol member and circuit making link being movable from said hashposition to a permanent on position and during said movement urging`said other spring finger tocam said link member into contact with saidthird contact member to establish said circuit between said first andsecond contact members.

9. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim S wherein said cover, controlmember and circuit making element are all of metal and wherein there ismeans electrically connecting said cover and said tirst contact membertogether.

10. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 8 wherein said control memberis of electrical insulation material and wherein means on the floor ofsaid housing electrical- 1y connects said one spring finger inelectrical circuit with said first contact member in all operations ofsaid switch mechanism.

l1. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 8 wherein said resilientsupport for said circuit making link member comprises a cap-like memberhaving a peripheral portion tightly secured to said wall portiondefining said housing.

12. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 8 wherein said housing has aWater passage in the wall portion of the casing deiining the same, thesaid passage connecting the interior of said housing with the exteriorof said casing.

13. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 8 wherein said cover andcontrol element are of metal, wherein said control element has a tabengaged in a recess in said cover and wherein said cover has an L-shapedtab at one end projecting through said housing and Wall portion definingthe same and having its opposite end connected by fastening means withsaid first contact member.

14. In a portable lamp including a casing of dielectric material forreceiving battery means for supplying electric current to a bulb carriedthereby, switch mechanism for making and breaking an electric circuitconnecting said battery means and said bulb comprising, a casing mountedplate defining an exterior chamber with a pocket in a wall portion ofsaid casing, said plate having a longitudinal slot therein, a slideablecontrol member in said chamber having an operator operable extensionprojecting through said slot and movable therein to position said memberin a plurality of circuit determining positions, means interengageablewith said control member for establishing at least some of saidpositions, circuit establishing link means operably positioned by saidwall portion of said casing and movable in a direction normal to saidslideable control member, a resilient link actuating means in saidchamber operable by said control member and positioned operablyintermediate said control member and link means and biasing said controlmember against said plate, and a pair of circuit establishing contactmeans carried by said casing and projecting interiorly thereof, at leastone in constant connection with said link actuating means and the otherfunctioning with said link means upon movement of the latter by saidlink actuating means in response to positioning of said control memberin a circuit determining position to establish a circuit between saidbattery means and lamp through this pair of contact means, saidactuating means including a resilient linger' having three positions, afirst position spaced from said link means and inoperable by saidcontrol member to actuate said link means to make said electric circuit,a second position in juxtaposition to said link means and operable inresponse to depression of said operator extension to actuate said linkmeans to engage with said contact means to make said circuit and a thirdposition in which it has actuated said link means to engage with saidcontact means to make said circuit.

15. In a portable hand lamp including a casing of electrical insulationmaterial having a wall portion thereof forming an external pocket, acover member for said pocket defining therewith a switch mechanismhousing, said cover member also defining a slideway, and first andsecond contact means within said casing and extending through said wallportion into said pocket said contact means constituting the terminalsof the circuit of said lamp, switch mechanism in said housing comprisinga slideable control member underlying said cover member and selectivelyoperable in said slideway between a switch ollj switch flasli, andswitch permanent light positions, said control member having a portionthereof interengageable with portions of said cover member in saidswitch oli and switch flash positions of said control member to definethe same, a metallic circuit making element in said housing underlyingand interengaged with Said control member and operable with said controlmember from said switch oil to said switch fiash and switch permanentlight positions and a movable metallic circuit making link memberunderlying said circuit making element and resiliently mounted to saidcasing wall portion in said pocket in spaced relation to and non-circuitforming relationship with said circuit making element and said contactmeans in said switch off position of said control mem er and circuitmaking element, said circuit making element having a pair of flexiblecontact fingers bearing upon the floor of said pocket and resilientlybiasing said control member against said cover and being depressibleunder urging of said control member, one of said fingers being inelectrical contact with said first contact means in all of saidpositions of said circuit making element corresponding to said selectivepositions of said control member and said second nger of said circuitmaking element being in proximity to but spaced from said link member insaid position of said circuit making element corresponding to saidswitch liash position of said control member and being adapted tocontact said link member and move the latter into contact with saidsecond contact means upon depression of said circuit making element bysaid control member to establish a flash circuit between said contactmembers through said link member and exible fingers so long as saidcontrol member is held depressed and said second finger being operableto establish a permanent light circuit between said contact meansthrough said link member when said circuit making element is moved intoits position corresponding to said switch permanent light position ofsaid control member and during which said link member is moved by saidsecond linger into electrical contact with said second contact means.

16. In a portable hand lamp including a casing of electrical insulationmaterial for receiving battery means for supplying electric current to abulb carried by said lamp, said casing having an external pocket andhaving a removable cover thereon providing with said pocket a chamberfor a switch mechanism, said cover having a longitudinal slot therein,first and second metallic spring contact means secured to said casingand constituting a pair of terminals of the circuit of said lamp, saidContact means extending within said casing opposite said pocket andhaving retaining means extending through said casing into said chamberand connected with switch mechanism in said chamber, said switchmechanism comprising a slideable control member in said chamber havingan operator operable extension projecting through the slot of said coverand movable therein to position said member in a circuit determiningposition, means cooperating with said control member for establishingsaid position, a circuit establishing link means operably positioned insaid charnber by said casing and movable in a direction normal. to saidslideable control member, a resilient link actuating means in saidchamber operable by said control member and positioned operablyintermediate said control member and link means, said actuating meansbiasing said control member against said cover, and third and fourthcontact means for establishing electrical contact with said batterymeans and lamp respectively, said first contact means being in operableContact with one of said third and fourth contact means and said secondcontact means being operable together with the other of said third andfourth Contact means to establish a circuit between said battery meansand lamp through said first and second contact means upon movement ofsaid link means by said actuating means in response to positioning otsaid control member in said circaiit establishing position.

17. A portable hand lamp as claimed in claim 16 wherein said casingpocket is provided with a seating face for said cover and with aresilient integral retaining lip for said cover which may be sprung backby said cover in positioning the `same on said casing and which lip willspring vback over said cover to retain the same when the latter isfirmly seated.

18. In a portable hand lamp, a casing having a forward end and arearward end, said forward end being open and having outer and innersurface portions extending rearwardly therefrom determining an annularwall, said Wall being externally threaded and a portion of said wallbeing graduated in thickness between said surface portions from a pointback from said forward end of said casing to said forward end to providean annular tapered lip, and a window bezel ring assembled over the openend of said casing with one of its ends overlapping said casing wall,said ring having a threaded portion internally thereof extending backfrom its said end which threaded portion is engaged with said externallythreaded wall of said casing, said threaded portion of said ringterminating in an 14 annular shoulder and there being an annular taperedrecess in said shoulder substantially complementary in shape to saidtapered lip and in which said lip is engaged in a watertightrelationship. f

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,689,457 Senger'et al, Oct. 30, 1928 2,006,175 Osborn June 25, 19352,145,368 Graubner Feb. 14, 1939 2,226,353 Wood Dec. 24, 1940 2,249,858Schwinn July 22, 1941 2,420,585 Crimmins May 13, 1947 2,420,634 Wohleret al. May 13, 1947 2,564,612 Schneider Aug. 14, 1951 2,643,327Macklenar June 23, 1953 2,681,982 Seegrist June 22, 1954 2,772,349Chamberlin Nov. 27, 1956 2,806,100 Schildbach Sept. 10, 1957 2,931,005Saurwein et al Mar. 29, 1960 2,942,102 Stoutentburgh `June 21, 1960

6. A PORTABLE HAND LAMP COMPRISING A CASING INCLUDING A HOLLOW ELONGATED SHANK PORTION AND AN OUTWARDLY FLARING INTEGRALLY CONNECTING HOLLOW HEAD PORTION, SAID SHANK PORTION BEING CLOSED AT ITS END OPPOSITE ITS HEAD PORTION, SAID SHANK PORTION DEFINING A PAIR OF GENERALLY PARALLEL WELLS FOR RECEIVING THE BATTERIES FOR POWERING SAID LAMP, SAID HEAD PORTION BEING SUBSTANTIALLY COAXIAL WITH THE AXIS OF ONE OF SAID WELLS AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF INWARDLY PROJECTING WALL PORTIONS ARRANGED AROUND SAID AXIS BUT SPACED FROM THE OTHER OF SAID PAIR OF WELLS, A RECESS IN EACH OF SAID PROJECTING WALL PORTIONS FACING INWARDLY OF SAID HEAD PORTION, A SPLIT SPRING RING MOUNTED IN SAID RECESSES AND SLIDABLE THEREIN CONCENTRIC TO SAID ONE WELL, SAID SPRING RING HAVING AN OPEN SECTION BETWEEN ITS ENDS, ONE END OF SAID RING BEING FORMED WITH A U LOOP EXTENDING GENERALLY NORMAL TO SAID RING IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM SAID HEAD FOR OVERLYING AND CONTACTING THE TERMINAL END OF A BATTERY RECEIVED IN SAID OTHER WELL AND ONE OF THE LEGS OF SAID LOOP EXTENDING GENERALLY NORMAL TO SAID RING IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM SAID SHANK FOR FORMING A RING MANIPULATING PROJECTION, THE OTHER END OF SAID RING BEING FORMED WITH A LATERAL PROJECTION TO PROVIDE A LIMIT STOP FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT OF SAID RING, SAID RING BEING MOVABLE FROM A POSITION WHEREIN SAID LOOP IS IN CONTACT WITH THE SAID TERMINAL END OF A BATTERY IN SAID OTHER WELL TO A POSITION WHEREIN SAID LOOP PORTION IS CLEAR OF THE SAID BATTERY AND WITH THE LATTER POSITIONED RELATIVE TO THE RING WITH ITS BODY WITHIN THE OPEN SECTION BETWEEN THE ENDS OF SAID RING WHEREBY TO PASS THE SAME FOR REMOVING SAID BATTERY FROM SAID LAMP. 